Apparatus for processing photographic film and the like



Aug. 27, 1957 a. F. HOFFMAN 2 ,804,003

Filed April 23, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 27, 1957 1, H A 2,804,003

APPARATUS FUR PROCESSING PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM AND THE; LIKE Filed April 25,1953 ESheets-Sheet 2 Q IVENTORQ ATTORNEYS raised States Patent "flies2,804,003 Patented Aug". 27, 1957 APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING PHGTQGRAPHECFILM AND THE LIKE Ignace F. Hellman, Saginaw, Mich.

Application April 23, 1953, Serial No. 3585649 17 Claims. (Cl. 95-365)This invention relates to apparatus 'for processing photographic filmand the like, and more particularly to a new and improved developingtank for simultaneously processing a plurality of film rolls.

Conventional developing tanks comprise broadly a film carrier mounted ina central bearing within an outer casing containing alternately thedeveloping, rinsing, fixing and washing fluids. The carrier is rotatedor moved through the solution in the outer casing to provide anagitation between the film surface and processing solution. It has beenfound that to accomplish this rotation manually is quite tedious andusually mechanical means such as a motor or a thermostaticallycontrolled stream of water playing on an impeller have been employed todrive the film carrier. Obviously, the use of mechanical means fordriving the-film carrier has greatly increased the cost of the device.

One of the prime objects of the instant invention is to provide a filmcarrier means which is floatingly supported within a closed outer casingso that it is practical to manipulate the carrier manually, a simpletwist of the hand serving to spin the carrier means and produces thenecessary agitative effect for a prolonged period of time.

A further object of the invention is to design a developer tank and filmcarrier means therefor which can support a plurality of filmssimultaneously in a manner in which the swirl of the fluid cannot bucklethe film no matter in which direction the carrier means is spun.

Another object of the invention is to design a developer tank of thetype described and film carrier'means floatingly supported therein whichcan be ballasted to insure that the film rolls are completely immersedin the fluid, the quantity of ballast employed being readily variabledepending upon the buoyant characteristics of the fluid and the quantityof fluid employed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a developer tank intoWhich the developing, rinsing, fixing and washing fluids can be easilypoured and from which these fluids can be quickly drained intocontainers for storage, with a minimum loss of time between processingfluids, until used again in developing the succeeding batch of films.

Another object of the invention is to design film car rier means whichpermit the easy and rapid loading and unloading of the film, the carriermeans including corrugated rings on which the film rolls are mounted topermit the fluid to wash over the entire surface of the film.

A further object of the invention is to provide a developer tank andfilm carrier means therefor which can be formed from a translucentmaterial so that in dc veloping color film, all surfaces of the film canbe exposed to light for a few seconds during one phase of thedevelopment process without necessitating removal of the film from thecarrier means.

Another object of the invention is to design a developing tank which isof limited size and yet can process roll film of all kinds within a widerange of lengths and widths.

A still further object of the invention is to design a film-developingtank of sturdy and durable construction which can be economicallymanufactured, and can process a plurality of films simultaneously on acommercial basis.

With the above and other objects in view, the pres ent inventionconsists in the combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter morefully described, illus trated in the accompanying drawings, and moreparticularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being under stoodthat changes may be made in the form, size, proportion, and minordetails of construction, without departing from the spirit, orsacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a sectional, elevational view of the device taken on the line1-1 of Fig. 2 showing the unrolled films individually secured to thefilm carrying rings.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the device.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the device with the cover, funnel member, andthermometer plug thereof removed, the film rolls and securing slipsbeing omitted from the view for clarity.

Fig. 4 is a transverse, sectional View taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary, elevational view showing the clips securing theends of an unrolled film in position.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings wherein Ihave shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, a letter Dgenerally indicates my improved roll film developing apparatus whichincludes an outer cylindrical tank 16 in the downwardly sloped bottom ofwhich is centrally mounted a drain fitting 11 which opens therethrough.

The tank 10 which contains the processing fluid F is provided with aninset cylindrical base 12 which enables the tank 10 to be readilygrasped and moved to desired locations. Adapted to float within the tankIt) as shown in Fig. l is a carrier C which includes an inner tank 13,having a bottom 14 which slopes upwardly from the side wall of the tank13, the tank 13 being formed, also, with a central tube 15 which extendsupwardly to a point above the outer tank is and opens through the bottomof the inner tank 13. Mounted on the outer wall of the tank 13 is aflange 16 in which are provided circumferentially spaced ports oropenings 17 as shown for a purpose to be presently described.

The rolls of films A are individually mounted on a plurality of readilyremovable corrugated rings 13 of progressively increasing diameter whichare retained in position by radially spaced lugs 19 provided atcircumferential intervals on the flange 16. A pair of U-shaped clips 20(see Figs. 4 and 5) are provided on each ring 18 for retaining the freeends of the film strip which are trained around the rings 18. It will beapparent that the clips 20 are circumferentially adjustable on the rings18 so that rolls of film of varying length may be accommodated, and thewalls of the rings are of suflicient height to enable film strips of aWide range of widths to be carried. To enable the rings to be readilygrasped when removing them from the device, it will be seen that theseries of rings are of outwardly decreasing height. In processing colornegatives, it is necessary during one stage of their development thatthey be exposed to light for an interval of a few seconds. It istherefore contemplated that the rings 18 will be formed of a suitabletranslucent material such as a clear plastic,

of which there are many commercial varieties, so that under ordinarylight conditions.

both sides of the film may be exposed to light without removing the filmfrom the rings.

Since the film roll is trained around the rings and the free endsthereof are secured as described, there is no possibility of the filmbuckling during the agitating process as occurs with present-day spiralwound film carriers. Further, since the rings 18 are corrugated, theprocessing fluids or solutions are able to fully contact both surfacesof the exposed film roll. It is clear that the unit can be made up tosupport any desired number of rings 18, although but three are shown inthe instant drawings. Vertical slots 21 are formed in the upper end ofthe tube 15 to retain a funnel 22 therein, the funnel having a dependingspout 23 which telescopes into the tube 15 and lugs Znon the spout whichare accommodated in the slots 21.

A cover 25 is provided for the tank 16 to maintain the interior of thetank substantially light-free, the cover being formed with a dependingtube 26 which telescopes over the tube 15, to center the floating innertank 13. The cover 25 has also a central opening 25a, of course, topermit the entrance of the spout 23 of the funnel 22. Further, a spout27 leads into the interior of the inner tank 13 to permit air to escapewhen the cover is lowered into position and to permit the addition of aballast liquid or material 3 it necessary.

Since it is necessary to control the temperature of the developing andcolor processing fluids, a thermometer plug P extends through the funnel22 and tube 15 and is threaded into the drain fitting 11. A slot 28 isprovided through the plug to permit the fluids to reach the bulb of thethermometer 29, and it will be observed that the head of the plug is ofless diameter than the spout 23 of the funnel so that the funnel 22,cover 25, and carrier tank C can be removed without removing thethermometer plug.

In practice, the rings 18 are first loaded with exposed film in themanner indicated and placed in position on the flange 16, beginning withthe innermost ring and proceeding outwardly. The carrier tank thusloaded is deposited into tank 10. The cover is then placed over the tankand the plug P which controls the drain and funnel 22 is secured inposition. Processing fluid F is poured into the funnel 22 and proceedsthrough the tube under the tank 13 through the perforations into thetank 10. The carrier C is caused to float in the tank 10, but isprevented from rising beyond the point where it engages the lower end ofthe tube 26 of the cover so that the film rolls are maintainedcompletely immersed in the fluid. It will be apparent that athermostatically adjusted ballast liquid such as water can be pouredinto the tank 13 through the spout 27 to control the float of thecarrier so that it floats freely out of engagement with the tube 26. Thefunnel 22 is then given a twist to spin the carrier and move the filmthrough the fluid. A single twist of the funnel is suflicient to spinthe carrier for a considerable period of time.

When the film has been sufficiently agitated through the solution, thethermometer plug P is removed and the developing fluid is drained into acontainer and preserved for use with the next group of exposed films.The thermometer plug is then reinserted and the procedure is repeatedwith rinsing and fixing solutions. Finally, a washing fluid is employedin the same manner described, and I wish to point out that all of thesephases of the developing process can be carried out without removing thecover when processing ordinary black and white film.

When processing color film, it is necessary to reexpose the film tolight after the first few steps of the procedure are taken, and thecover is therefore removed at the proper time. Thereafter the process iscarried on Re-exposure of the color film can then be accomplished bymerely lifting the entire carrier tank out of the fluid and exposing itto a bright light according to standard procedures. When the cover isthus removed, the addition of a counter-ballast fluid to the carriertank is then imperative to assure complete immersion of the film rollsin the processing fluid after the re-exposure. It will be apparent thatthe light is able to reach the sides of the film rolls which engage thetranslucent, corrugated rings 18. It will further be obvious that theoppositely sloped bottoms of the outer and inner tanks it and 13 permitthe fluid to be rapidly drained from the device.

Throughout the specification and claims the liquid F has been termed aprocessing fluid, but I wish to advise that this term is used broadlyand should be taken to mean any solution which might be employed in thehandling of light-sensitive film materials.

What I claim is:

1. In a film developer, an outer tank adapted to be alternatively filledwith a developing, rinsing, fixing and washing solution, an inner tankhaving an upwardly extending tubular member opening through the bottomof said inner tank, a removable cover for said outer tank having adepending tubular member telescoping over said first-mentioned tubularmember and opening through said cover to permit developing fluid to bepoured into said first-mentioned tubular member when said cover is inposition, a laterally extending film carrier flange on the outer side ofsaid inner tank immersed in said solution, a plurality of individuallyrcmovable film carrying rings, each capable of carrying an individualfilm strip, of different diameter mounted on said flange in concentricrelation and means mounted on said first-mentioned tubular member whichpermits manual spinning of said inner tank and film carrier meansthrough said solution when the cover is in place.

2. The combination defined in claim 1 in which said film carrier flangeis perforated.

3. In a film developing device, an outer tank containing a filmprocessing solution, an inner tank floating therein, a lateral flange onsaid inner tank projecting outwardly therefrom, a plurality ofindividual film carrying irregular surfaced rings removably seated onsaid flange in concentric spaced relation, said rings being immersed insaid solution, an upwardly extending central tube for said inner tank, acover for said outer tank having a tubular depending member telescopingover said tube to maintain the inner and outer tank in spaced relation,and means connected to said tube extending through said cover which canbe grasped to spin said inner tank through said solution while saidcover is in place.

4. In a roll film developer, an outer tank containing a processingsolution, an inner tank floating therein with the greater portion ofsaid tank below the level of said solution, a flange on said inner tankextending laterally from the bottom thereof, an upwardly extendingtubular member opening through the bottom of said inner tank, aremovable cover for said outer tank having a depending tubular membertelescoping over said first-mentioned tubular member and opening throughsaid cover to permit developing fluid to be poured into saidfirst-mentioned tubular member when said cover is in position, at leastone vertically corrugated ring mounted on said flange with a film rolltrained therearound, and a funnel mounted on the tubular member of saidinner tank which can be twisted to spin the inner tank and film throughthe solution.

5. The combination defined in claim 4 in which a ballast material is insaid inner tank.

6. In a film developing device, an outer tank having a bottom wallsloped to the central portion thereof, said bottom wall having a drainopening through the central portion thereof, a film carrier in saidouter tank including a central, tubular portion opening through thebottom of said carrier, a cover for said tank including a centralopening therein, and an elongated member having a drain fitting on oneend thereof seated in said drain opening and extending up through saidtubular portion of the carrier and said cover.

7. The combination defined in claim 6 in which said elongated member hasa thermometer therein.

8. In a film developing device, an outer tank, including a bottom walland a side wall, containing a processing solution, an inner tank,including a bottom and an outer side surface, freely floating thereinwith its bottom entirely out of contact with the bottom of said outertank and its side surface out of contact with the side wall of the outertank, means for carrying exposed film immersed in said solution andconnected with the inner tank, a cover for said outer tank, and meansconnected to said inner tank and projecting through said cover which canbe grasped and twisted to move said inner tank through said solution.

9. In a film developing device, an outer tank including a bottom walland a side wall, a film processing solution therein, an inner tankincluding a bottom and an outer side surface, with the bottom of theinner tank entirely out of contact with the bottom of the outer tank andthe side wall surface out of contact with the side wall of the outertank, floating in said solution, and film carrying means on the innertank at least partially immersed in said solution.

10. In a film developing device, an outer tank including a bottom walland a side wall, a film processing solution therein, a film carrier,including a bottom and an outer side surface, in said outer tank, saidbottom and side surface being out of contact with the bottom and sidewalls of said tank respectively and floating immersed in said solution,with the bottom of said carrier entirely spaced from said bottom of theouter tank by said solution, and means connected to said carrier forsupporting film in said solution.

11. In a film developing device, an outer tank, including side andbottom walls, containing a film processing solution, a film carrierentirely spaced from the side and bottom walls thereof and floatingimmersed in said solution, means for holding said carrier spaced fromthe side wall of said outer tank, and means connected to said carrierenabling the spinning of said film carrier and thereby the agitation ofsaid carrier and film through said solution.

12. In a film developing device, an outer tank, including a bottom walland a side wall, containing a film processing solution, an inner tankhaving a bottom and an outer side surface floating therein, with thebottom out of contact with the bottom wall of the outer tank and theside surface out of contact with the side wall of the outer tank, meansimmersed in said solution mounted on said inner tank for carryingexposed film, an upwardly extending central tube for said inner tank, acover for said outer tank having a tubular depending member tele scopingover said tube to maintain the inner and outer tank in concentric spacedrelation and determine the depth at which said inner tank will float,and means connected to said tube extending through said cover which canbe grasped to spin said inner tank and agitate the means carrying thefilm through the solution when the cover is in place.

13. Film processing apparatus comprising a receptacle having an openingtherein for admitting processing fiuid to the interior thereof; abuoyant carrier mounted within said receptacle for vertical upwardmovement with respect to the latter in response to admission of fluid tosaid receptacle; means connected to said carrier for mounting filmthereon between the carrier and the receptacle; and a surface connectedto said carrier which can be engaged to impart rotary movements thereto.

14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 including means carried by saidreceptacle and located in a position to engage said carrier afterpredetermined vertical upward movement of the latter.

15. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 including means in communicationwith the interior of said carrier for admitting ballast thereto.

16. Apparatus as set forth in claim 13 in which said carrier includes abottom and side wall, said bottom having a circumferential flange onwhich said film mounting means is located.

17. Apparatus as set forth in claim 16 in which said film mounting meanscomprises at least one removable annular element with a film rolltrained therearound seated on the flange of said carrier.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,000,287 Nyc Aug. 8, 1911 1,012,723 Seely Dec. 26, 1911 2,073,978 SmithMar. 16, 1937 2,112,605 Pless Mar. 29, 1938 2,519,337 Alberts Aug. 22,1950 2,530,734 Salzman Nov. 21, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 18,570 GreatBritain June 24, 1909

